Decompositions of modules lacking zero sums (Q1650448)

The authors develop a direct sum decomposition theory for modules over semirings that lack zero sums (LZS). For a module over a ring, one may have \( v+w=0\) for both \(v\) and \(w\) nonzero, but for modules over semirings, this is often the case only when \(v=w=0.\) Such a module over a semiring is said to lack zero sums. In particular, the theory developed here clarifies direct sum decompositions of submodules of free modules over the max-plus algebra. A hierarchy of conditions on modules \(T\) and \(W\) with \(T+W=V\) is considered. These conditions are: direct complement of \(W\), semi-complement of \(W,\) weak complement of \(W\) and \(W\cap T=\{0_{V}\}.\) For modules over semirings, these conditions are progressively weakening, but for modules over a ring they all coincide. Amongst others, it is shown that the direct complement is unique and the decomposition is unique up to refinement. Projective modules are also investigated. An example is given to justify calling a module over a semi-ring strongly projective if it is a direct summand of a free \(R\)-module. If such a module is indecomposable, it is shown to be of the form \(Re\) for some primitive idempotent element \(e\) of \( R\).